Advertising without permission (fly-posting)

We take fly posting seriously, especially where the advert creates a safety hazard or adversely affects the appearance of a neighbourhood.

We actively pursue and take action against fly posters in the borough.

What is fly-posting?

Fly posting is displaying advertisements in the open air without the permission of the property owner. The owner might be the Council, for example of highway structures such as railings at the edge of a road, street signage and traffic lights, in which case the advertiser must ask for permission from the council.

There are some types of advertising which do not require specific permission as they have "deemed consent" under the
Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) regulations [1Mb].For example, travelling circuses or fairs can put up advertisements if they give the council advance notice, but only if they have the permission of the owner of the property or land on which it is placed, which in the case of street furniture is the council as the Highway Authority.

Estate agents may put up boards advertising that a property is for sale or to let, but the regulations contain limitations as to the display of such boards, examples of which are:

Not more than one advertisement is permitted at one location

The advertisement must be removed within 14 days after the completion of a sale or the grant of a tenancy and must not be fixed permanently to the building

When the council grants permission for advertising

The council may grant permission for local events of community benefit to display advertising on highway structures or private property.

What we can do

The action taken will depend on what kind of advertising has been placed and what is has been attached to. For example, if the advertisement is on street furniture without permission, the council has the power to remove it. On the other hand, if it is on private property but does not have the relevant permissions, a notice is served on the owner requiring them to remove the advertising within a specified period. If the owner did not know the advertising had been attached to their property, the council may remove it on their behalf.

So if you see posters stuck to lampposts, street furniture or highway fence or railings, please report it to us as we will investigate to see if they need to be removed.

If you wish to report this issue, the following information will be requested: